Purse holster for a concealed carry weapon

ABSTRACT

A purse holster includes a purse holster body having a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into the interior. A closure flap extends from the back wall and is secured to a front face of the front wall by a flap securing member. The closure flap creates an overhang which extends beyond the front face of the front wall and wherein the overhang is structured to provide for a rake opening of the purse holster. The rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang, thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from its securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein resides generally in the art of a concealed carryholster for a purse or handbag. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a purse holster that can be separated and transferred from apurse or handbag with minimal effort while avoiding a reveal of ahandgun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purse-based holster systems for the concealed carry of a handgun areeither “built” into a purse cavity and are thus not transferrable toother portable platforms or are transferrable across portable platformsbut are not easily accessible. The present invention improves upon thelatter, avoiding the built in type of holster system.

Current holsters intended to be carried in a purse or other portableplatform suffer from having closure mechanisms that make it difficult toquickly open and/or efficiently retrieve the handgun during emergencysituations. The closure mechanisms are most often depressible buttons,snaps, zippers or hook and loop fasteners that cannot be quickly openedto retrieve a weapon. When an individual is placed in danger their finemotor skills are negatively affected, making it difficult to open suchclosure mechanisms. In a high intensity situation such as one where aperson would need to draw a handgun, it is not uncommon for them to“freeze up” and be unable to access their weapon, potentially riskingtheir lives. There is a need for a holster system that providesconcealed containment of a handgun and yet allows it to be easilyaccessed.

Holster systems that are transferrable across different portableplatforms also present problems for the armed individual. They tend tohave designs unsafe for concealed carry or unable to be quickly accessedin a purse, due to the fact they can easily shift, become misplaced orlost within the contents of a purse. Also, such holsters may reveal theweapon during transition which could lead to panic ormischaracterization of a situation involving a handgun.

The present invention provides a solution to these common problems,teaching a purse holster that is easily transferrable yet is still ableto be concealed and firmly secured to a purse or handbag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment the present invention provides a purse holsterincluding a purse holster body which includes a front wall and a backwall. The front wall and back wall are joined to define an interior forreceiving a handgun and provide an opening into an interior. The purseholster further includes a closure flap, which extends from the backwall and is secured to a front face of the front wall by a flap securingmember. The closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond the frontface of the front wall to permit engagement by a user's hand in a rakeopening of the purse holster, wherein the rake opening is achieved byswiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang thus moving the closureflap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flapsecuring member.

A second embodiment provides a purse holster as in the first embodiment,wherein the flap securing member is a magnetic closure mechanism.

A third embodiment provides a purse holster as in the first or secondembodiments, wherein the magnetic closure mechanism includes a flapmounted member mounted to the closure flap. The flap mounted memberselectively and magnetically interacts with a front face mounted member,which is mounted to a front face of the front wall. The magneticattraction is readily overcome by a rake opening.

A fourth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough third embodiments, wherein the purse holster securement memberis suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item. The purseholster securement member is selected from the group consisting of aretaining strap and a spring clip member.

A fifth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough fourth embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag,wherein the purse holster securement member is a spring clip secured toa reinforced material which is secured to the back face of the backwall.

A sixth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough fifth embodiments, wherein the spring clip is suitable forsecuring the purse holster to a structural item selected from a sidewallor interior wall of a purse, or handbag and a belt or waistband of anindividual's apparel.

A seventh embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough sixth embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag,wherein the purse holster securement member is a retaining strapselectively secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag.

An eighth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough seventh embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag,wherein the retaining strap is secured to a bottom interior of the purseor handbag by a suspender hook.

A ninth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough eighth embodiments, wherein the purse holster includes both aretaining strap and a spring clip.

A tenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough ninth embodiments, wherein the purse holster further comprises ahandgun pocket in the interior for receiving a handgun.

An eleventh embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the firstthrough tenth embodiments, wherein the interior contains an interiorreinforced panel which is secured to an interior face of the back wall,and the handgun pocket is secured to the reinforcement panel.

A twelfth embodiment provides purse holster comprising: a purse holsterbody including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interiorfor receiving a handgun and providing an opening into the interior; aclosure flap extending from the back wall and selectively secured to afront face of the front wall by a flap securing member; a retainingstrap; and a spring clip secured to a back face of the back wall andsuitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.

A thirteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in the twelfthembodiment, wherein the flap securing member is a magnetic closuremechanism.

A fourteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of thetwelfth or thirteenth embodiments, wherein the magnetic closuremechanism includes a flap mounted member mounted to the closure flap,the flap mounted member selectively magnetically interacting with afront face mounted member mounted to a front face of the front wall.

A fifteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfththrough fourteenth embodiments, wherein the closure flap creates anoverhang extending beyond the front face of the front wall to permitengagement by a user's hand in a rake opening of the purse holster,wherein the rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly toengage the overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it fromit securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

A sixteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfththrough fifteenth embodiments, further comprising a handgun pocket inthe interior for receiving a handgun.

A seventeenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of thetwelfth through sixteenth embodiments, wherein the interior contains aninterior reinforced panel secured to an interior face of the back wall,and the handgun pocket is secured to the reinforcement panel.

An eighteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of thetwelfth through seventeenth embodiments, further comprising a magazinepocket in the interior for holding a magazine for a handgun.

A nineteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of thetwelfth through eighteenth embodiments, in combination with a purse orhandbag, wherein the retaining strap is secured to a bottom interior ofthe purse or handbag.

A twentieth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfththrough nineteenth embodiments, wherein the retaining strap isselectively secured to the bottom interior of the purse or handbag by asuspender hook.

A twenty-first embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of thetwelfth through twentieth embodiments, wherein the spring clip issuitable for securing the purse holster to a structural item selectedfrom a sidewall or interior wall of a purse or handbag and a belt orwaistband of an individual's apparel.

A twenty-second embodiment provides a purse holster including a frontwall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving ahandgun and providing an opening into the interior. A closure flapextends from the back wall and secures to a front face of the front wallby a flap securing member. The closure flap creates an overhangextending beyond the front face of the front wall to permit engagementby a user's hand in a rake opening of the purse holster, wherein therake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage theoverhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from itsecurement to the front face by the flap securing member. The purseholster further includes a retaining strap and a spring clip secured toa back face of the back wall and is suitable to secure the purse holsterto a structural item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a purse holster in accordance withthe present invention, shown with the closure flap in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the purse, shown with the closureflap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the purse holster, shown with theclosure flap in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the purse holster, displaying theinterior of the purse holster body to exhibit the magazine pocket andrevolver pocket; and

FIG. 5 is side elevational view of the purse holster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is disclosed by focusing on the specific advancesmade by the present invention. Specific structures and options withrespect to implementing the present invention in a purse holster will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

With reference to the figures and particularly FIGS. 1-3, an embodimentof a purse holster according to the present invention is designatedgenerally by the numeral 10. The purse holster 10 is generally used forwomen to safely carry a handgun within a purse, while also allowing foreasy transfer of the holster between interiors of a purse or otherportable handbag, tote or the like. While the prior art teaches staticholster apparatuses built into a purse frame, the present invention isportable and can be secured within an interior of any suitable largepurse or handbag. As such, the holster of the present invention isreadily transferable from one platform to another. For instance, it canbe secured within a purse but then selectively removed from the purse toanother purse or handbag or even for directly being worn by anindividual. Notably, the concealed weapon remains in a concealed stateduring the transfer of the purse holster 10.

The purse holster 10 includes a purse holster body 12 formed by a frontwall 14 and a back wall 16. The purse holster body 12 can be producedfrom any number of suitable materials including various fabrics, leatheror the like. The front wall 14 and the back wall 16 are joined toprovide an opening 18 at the top of the holster, the opening beingaccessed or closed off by opening or closing a closure flap 20. Thefront wall 14 includes a front face 22 and the back wall 16 includes aback face 24. The holster body 12 can be formed from separate front andback walls 14, 16 secured together at their edges or by folding a singlepiece of fabric or chosen material and joining the outside edgestogether to form the purse holster body 12 and opening 18 (see FIG. 4,fold line 17). The opening 18 along with the front wall 14 and the backwall 16 define an interior for receiving a hand gun and, in someembodiments, a magazine as well.

In some embodiments, the front wall 14 has an angled top edge 26 thatextends upwardly from a first side 28 of the front face 22 to theopposed side 30. This angled top edge 26 increases access to theinterior to retrieve a handgun or magazine retained in the purse holster10. When the closure flap 20 is opened to provide access to opening 18,the angled nature of the top edge 26 provides an opening increased insize as compared to a true horizontal top edge, and also permits moreuser error in attempting to insert one's hand, as one need not enter theopening from above and directly downward, but can rather enter theopening to some degree from the side. It should be noted that the lowerend of the angled top edge 26 is preferable proximate the wrist, whilethe fingers extend toward the opposite side, as generally shown in FIG.1

The interior defined by the joining of the front and rear walls 14, 16is sized to ensure a desired handgun is carried in a concealed and safeand responsible manner even during transferring from one platform toanother. By transferring from one platform to another, the term platformis to connote any portable item, from a purse or handbag or tote to acar seat or human body. In some embodiments, the interior includes ahandgun pocket 32 shaped to receive a handgun in a secure manner. Insome embodiments, the interior further includes a magazine pocket 34 tohold a magazine for the handgun. In other embodiments, the magazinepocket 34 can be omitted to further decrease the size of the holster.

In some embodiments, an interior reinforcement panel 36 is secured tothe interior face 38 of the back wall 16. The interior reinforcementpanel 36 is formed of a material that will add structural integrity overthe material of the purse holster body 12. In some embodiments, thereinforcement panel 36 is a fabric that is water resistant or scratchresistant or both. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panel isformed of ballistic nylon. In such embodiments, the handgun pocket 32,and if employed, the magazine pocket 34 are secured to the interiorreinforcement panel 36, the reinforcement panel 36 providing strongsupport for these pockets, which experience forces when a handgun ormagazine is being inserted or removed therefrom. In some embodiments,the handgun pocket 32, and if employed, the magazine pocket 34 areformed with a stretchable material to give to the insertion and removalof the handgun and magazine. In some embodiments, the handgun pocket 32and magazine pocket 34 (if present) are made of elastic material. Insome embodiments, they are made military grade elastic. In someembodiments, the magazine pocket 34 (if present) and the handgun pocket32 are sewn onto the interior reinforcement panel 36 to providestabilization to the handgun and magazine while still maintaining aneasy draw of the weapon and removal of magazine during emergencysituations.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the closure flap 20 extends from theback wall 16, being either secured thereto or integral therewith. Theclosure flap 20 selectively secures over the opening 18 of the purseholster body 12, and creates an overhang 38. In some embodiments, theclosure flap 20 is integral with the back wall 16 of the purse holsterbody 12 and extends past the opening 18 to fold there over and secure tothe front wall 14. The closure flap 20 is secured to the front wall 14by a flap securing member 40. When secured to the front wall 14 by theflap securing member 40, the closure flap 20 flares out away from thefront face 22 to provide an overhang generally identified by the numeral38. The overhang 38 facilitates a “rake opening” function. In someembodiments, the closure flap 20 has a front edge 42 that extends at anangle upwardly from one end to the other. In some embodiments, theoverhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by ¼ inch or more.In other embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the frontface 22 by ½ inch or more, in other embodiments, ¾ inch or more, and inother embodiments, 1 inch or more. In some embodiments, the overhang 38extends outward beyond the front face 22 by 1.5 inch or less. In otherembodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by1 inch or less. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 is measured fromthe point of securement of the flap securing member 40 and extendsoutward therefrom by ¼ inch or more, in other embodiments, by ½ inch ormore, in other embodiments, ¾ inch or more, and in other embodiments, 1inch or more. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outwardlyfrom the securement of the flap securing member 40 by 1.5 inch or less,and in other embodiments, by 1 inch or less.

The “rake opening” enables easy access to a concealed carry because itis less demanding of fine motor skills. During an emergency such as athreat of bodily harm, a person may simply swipe or quickly slide theirhand in an upward direction against the closure flap 20, particularlyengaging the overhang 38 thereof, to disengage the flap securing member40 and gain access to the handgun through the opening 18. Moreparticularly, the hand is raked upwardly against the overhang 38 andthis raking of the hand into the overhang 38 and moving upwardlydisengages the flap securing member 40. In embodiments with an angledfront edge 42, the front edge 42 is such that the closure flat extendsdownwardly further proximate the flap securing member 40 to present adistal end that is the preferred area for contact with the overhang 38because it is proximate the flap securing member 40. The preferredcontact at this area during a rake opening being exemplified by arrow Ain FIG. 1. The flap securing member 40 can be selected from any weakfastening device that can be easily uncoupled through such a rakemotion. In particular embodiments, such as that exemplified in FIG. 2,the flap securing member 40 is a magnetic closure mechanism, including aflap mounted member 40 a that interacts with a front face mounted member40 b to magnetically close the closure flap 20 over the opening 18. Thepurse holster body 12 maintains a closed position when the flap mountedmember 40 a and the front face mounted member 40 b are coupled.

The purse holster 10 of the present invention further includes aretaining strap 44 that extends below the purse holster body 12. Whenthe purse holster 10 is placed in a purse or handbag, the retainingstrap 44 can be used to attach the purse holster body 12 to the bottominterior of the purse or handbag device. The retainer strap 44 canalternatively attach to any interior face or pocket of a carryingdevice. The retaining strap 44 provides specific resistance to movementof the purse holster body 12 while performing a rake opening. That is,while one rakes the hand upwardly, friction between the hand and thefront face 22, as well as contact between the hand and the overhang 28might cause movement of the purse holster 10, frustrating the opening ofthe closure flap 20, but the retaining strap 44, when secured asdisclosed, prevents movement of the purse holster 10, such that relativemovement of the closure flap 20 is better ensured. In some embodiments,the retaining strap 44 is selectively secured to a bottom interior of apurse or handbag device by a suspender hook 46, but other securingmechanisms can be employed. Additional substitutes could be used inplace of the suspender hook 46 to anchor the purse holster body 10 inany type of carrying platform, including purses or handbags. In someembodiments, the retaining strap 44 is secured to the back face 24 ofthe back wall 16 by a reinforcement material 48. In some embodiments,the reinforced material 48 is fastened to the purse holster body 12 by astud 50.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the purse holster 10 of the presentinvention further includes a spring clip 52 for attaching the purseholster 10 to a sidewall or interior wall of a purse or handbag. In someembodiments, the spring clip is of a generally known type, formed of apiece of shape memory material that provides a base 54 over whichextends a clamp member 56 by virtue of a bend 55 in the piece of shapememory material. The clamp member 52 lies in close proximity or eventouches the base such that an item (such as a purse or handbag sidewallor interior wall) inserted between the base and the clamp is pinched andheld by the shape memory strength of the material. The spring clip 52provides versatility and may alternatively be attached to a belt buckleor waistband to affix the purse holster body 12 to a person. In someembodiments, the spring clip 52 is secured to the back face 24 of theback wall 16. When the purse holster 10 is placed in a purse or handbag,the spring clip 52 can be used to attach the purse holster body 12 to asidewall or interior wall of the purse or handbag device. The springclip 52 could also attach to any structure of suitable thickness suchthat the spring clip 52 squeezes and secures to the structure. Thismight include a belt (for carrying the holster 10 on one's body). Thespring clip 52 provides specific resistance to movement of the purseholster body 12 while performing a rake opening. That is, while onerakes the hand upwardly, friction between the hand and the front face22, as well as contact between the hand and the overhang 28 might causemovement of the purse holster 10, frustrating the opening of the closureflap 20, but the spring clip 52, when secured as disclosed, preventsmovement of the purse holster 10, such that relative movement of theclosure flap 20 is better ensured. In some embodiments, the spring clip52 is secured to a reinforcement material, which can be the same ordifferent from the reinforcement material 48 noted above. In theembodiment shown, the spring clip 52 is secured to the reinforcementmaterial 48 along with the retaining strap 44. In some embodiments, thespring clip 52 includes a U-shaped end portion 58 which aids theattachment of the purse holster body 12 to a sidewall of purse orhandbag. The spring clip 52 and the retaining member can be usedseparately or at the same time to secure to a purse or handbag or othersuitable platform.

As compared to current holsters intended to be carried in a purse orother portable platform, the present invention provides closuremechanisms and structures making is much easier to quickly open and/orefficiently retrieve the handgun during emergency situations. Theclosure mechanisms and structures include a closure flap with anoverhang relative to the front face of the holster and the overhangallows for a quick rake opening of the holster to retrieve a handgunand/or magazine. This is true even when an individual is placed indanger and their fine motor skills are negatively affected. In someembodiments, this is further facilitated by an angled front edge of theclosure flap. And further by choosing a relatively weak closure flapsecuring member 40.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the presentinvention significantly advances the art by providing a purse holsterfor a concealed carry weapon that is structurally and functionallyimproved in a number of ways. While particular embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciatedthat the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch asvariations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall beappreciated from the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A purse holster comprising: a purse holster bodyincluding a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior forreceiving a handgun and providing an opening into said interior; aclosure flap extending from said back wall and secured to a front faceof said front wall by a flap securing member; and wherein said closureflap creates an overhang extending beyond said front face of said frontwall, said overhang structured to provide for a rake opening of saidpurse holster wherein said rake opening is achieved by swiping a handupwardly to engage said overhang thus moving the closure flap andreleasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securingmember.
 2. The purse holster according to claim 1, wherein said flapsecuring member is a magnetic closure mechanism.
 3. The purse holsteraccording to claim 2, wherein said magnetic closure mechanism includes aflap mounted member mounted to the closure flap, said flap mountedmember selectively magnetically interacting with a front face mountedmember mounted to a front face of the front wall, the magneticattraction being readily overcome by a rake opening.
 4. The purseholster of claim 3, further comprising a purse holster securement membersuitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item, the purseholster securement member selected from the group consisting of aretaining strap and a spring clip member.
 5. A purse holster accordingto claim 4, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein said purseholster securement member is a spring clip secured to a reinforcedmaterial secured to said back face of said back wall.
 6. The purseholster of claim 4, wherein said spring clip is suitable for securingthe purse holster to a structural item selected from a sidewall orinterior wall of a purse or handbag and a belt or waistband of anindividual's apparel.
 7. A purse holster according to claim 4 incombination with a purse or handbag, wherein said purse holstersecurement member is a retaining strap extending below the purse holsterbody and selectively secured to a bottom interior of the purse orhandbag.
 8. The purse holster according to claim 7 in combination with apurse or handbag, wherein said retaining strap is secured to a bottominterior of the purse or handbag by a suspender hook.
 9. The purseholster according to claim 4, wherein the purse holster includes bothsaid retaining strap and said spring clip, said retaining strapextending below the purse holster body.
 10. The purse holster accordingto claim 1, further comprising a handgun pocket in said interior forreceiving a handgun.
 11. The purse holster according to claim 10,wherein said interior contains an interior reinforced panel secured toan interior face of said back wall, and said handgun pocket is securedto said reinforcement panel.
 12. A purse holster comprising: a purseholster body including a front wall and a back wall joined to define aninterior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into saidinterior; a closure flap extending from said back wall and selectivelysecured to a front face of said front wall by a flap securing member; aretaining strap extending below the purse holster body; and a springclip secured to a back face of said back wall and suitable to secure thepurse holster to a structural item.
 13. A purse holster comprising: apurse holster body including a front wall and a back wall joined todefine an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening intosaid interior; a closure flap extending from said back wall and securedto a front face of said front wall by a flap securing member; whereinsaid closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond said front faceof said front wall, said overhang structured to provide for a rakeopening of said purse holster wherein said rake opening is achieved byswiping a hand upwardly to engage said overhang thus moving the closureflap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flapsecuring member; a retaining strap extending below the purse holsterbody; and a spring clip secured to a back face of said back wall andsuitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.